title: Diagnosis of photosensitivity to flupenthixol by photoprick testing.
abstract: We report the case of a 38-year-old patient with an erythematous eruption, initially confined to photo-exposed areas and then becoming more generalized, which was attributable to flupenthixol, a thioxanthene derivative used for its neuroleptic properties. The compound has the same polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as phenothiazines, but without any cross-reaction in our patient. A photoallergic cause for the eruption was verified on clinical, histological and photobiologic grounds. Photopatch tests were negative, but photoprick testing was positive after UV irradiation of the test site. Photopatch test methods using better skin penetration have been already reported for testing drug photosensitivity. Photoprick testing combines better penetration with greater ease of use.
authors.affiliation: Service de Dermatologie-CHU de Grenoble, France.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bourrain
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paillet
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Woodward
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Beani
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Amblard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017454:Dermatitis, Photoallergic / Q000209:etiology*; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology*; D004890:Erythema / Q000139:chemically induced; D005475:Flupenthixol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D008297:Male; D012869:Skin Absorption; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D005475:Flupenthixol